DD 26 weeks and not started weaning yet EBF and seems happy....

[notsuchayummymummy]

Do I need to rush to start? I plan to baby led wean but she seems so content on her milk. Granted she is not sleeping through but thats no real issue.

I take it I'm not doing her any harm?

no harm at all.
if she is sitting up by herself there is no reason why you shouldn't have her up at the table with you and put a few bits of food in front of her to see if she wants any though

Thank you for your reply thisisyesterday - any suggestions for good starter foods?

You do need to introduce gluten by 7 months to reduce the risk of intolerance though.

Rita - I don't think you are right on that one....the evidence was examined by SACN (advisory body in UK on nutrition) and published in March this year, and they concluded there was no good evidence for ensuring the introduction of gluten by a particular age (it was 6 mths, recommended by the European Food Safety people). You can read their statement here www.sacn.gov.uk/reports_position_statements/position_statements/sacncot_statement_on_the_timing_of_the_introduction_of_gluten_into_the_infant_diet_-_march_2011.html.

Has someone told you something different?

unless you are veggie then meat is a great starter food if you're BLW. a thickish strip of meat is easy to grasp, can be sucked on, can easily chew small pieces off and it's a good source of protein and iron (if you choose steak or something)

otherwise broccoli florets are always a good bet. ds2 used to LOVE baby courgettes cooked whole.. again they're easy to hold, but soft enough to suck/bite pieces off easily.
any veg is fine really tho.

strips of toast, breadsticks, cheese... all fine

I think it was from the British Dietetic Association position paper tiktok - introduce gluten no earlier than 4 months and no later than 7 months.

I'd just offer fingerfoods, if it gets eaten it gets eaten, if not, no worry.

My dd1 showed no interest in food (EBF) so at 26 weeks I offered fingerfoods (small ricecakes, toast, fruit etc), she was gone 28 weeks before she started swallowing tiny bits and was 32 weeks before she was eating a mouthful or so 1 or 2 times a day. She was a 99 percentile baby so everyone was quite shocked. She didn't show a massive interest in food until she was around 11 months, she walked at 9m 1w so food was at the bottom of her 'to do' list, lol.

Rita - have just checked their website. Their position paper reports European (ESPGHAN) recommendations about gluten (after 4 mths, before 7 mths, because of poss support against allergy) but they seem unconvinced as it is not in their own recommendations. Same conclusions as SACN.

I've been trying to wean for a couple of weeks but like you, find DS happy just with milk.

I like the idea of BLW but he cries when I try him with finger foods. He loves mashed up veg or yoghurt from a spoon though. Maybe he's just lazy.

I'm going to try not to worry about it and just keep trying until he's more interested.

Watching with interest for tips from the wise!

PrimaBallerina I don't understand how your DS would cry with finger foods? Do you put them in his mouth? The worst I can think of is his being disinterested and ignored the food on the tray. Most babies, being naturally curious would play with them, and put them in their mouth to explore. Just like what they would do with theirs toys, your phone, the book you are reading, the tv remote ...

Are you offering something that is very hot? Or sour? Something that might shock them to crying?